TNAG-1514-FCO40-2072-Shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 22

CONFIDENTIAL

the day to consider the need to take emergency

consider the detailed content

powers and to

any emergency legislation. In

regard to shipping, it is expected that the Government would

consider powers that covered inter alia clarification and extension

of the prerogative powers, restrictions on registrations and trading

transactions, control of the use and movement of ships, removal of

legal restrictions on the operation of ships, pilotage, direction of

seafarers, discipline on ships, and protection of ships and

equipment.

19 The ability of the Government to requisition UK-controlled

ships registered in foreign territories is of increasing importance

as the amount of such shipping increases and UK registered shipping

decreases. The Government has opened discussions with certain

British-controlled tonnage on their

with That T

States having substantial

I cany

registers or arrangements that would avoid difficulties) if

sought to requisition such ships during tension or war.

HMG

20 A Government could assume powers very quickly during tension to

prevent flagging out. The question of the introduction of such

powers in peace-time, say by the introduction of a Defence Register

transfer from which would require Government approval, raises

difficulties. It could prevent not only precautionary flagging out

but flagging out for any reason. Policy considerations apart, it

could pose considerable practical difficulties.

necessary legal measures were being enacted, and in peace-time these

would take longer than in an emergency, owners would be faced with a

now-or-never decision on whether to flag out, and it is likely that

many would take a 'now'

While the

This

decision who would otherwise not have

CONFIDENTIAL